I'm trying to change the timing belt on my 94 Ranger 2.3L . I'm having trouble getting the belt off of the crankshaft gear. I loosened the tensioner but can not get it off the crankshaft gear with the belt guide in the way. Do I have to remove the gear to get to the belt. Any suggestions or tips would be helpful.

Put a long breaker bar and socket on the crank pulley, rest the bar on top of the drivers side frame rail and BUMP the starter. This will break the crank pulley bolt loose. Done this on my Ranger and several other cars.